The .au Domain Administration (auDA) has relaunched its Australia and New Zealand Internet Award Program(ANZIA) with retooled categories and prizes aimed at broadening the range of entries in the award, with a new category dedicated to tech startups. The official relaunch will be held on January 29 in Melbourne at the startup event Above All Human, with the new program reflecting on the fast moving digital ecosystem and supports the startups in the wider tech industry.

The launch of the new award comes through a partnership with startup coworking community Fishburners. The Tech Startup Award offers startups up to three years old the chance to win $2,500 in prize money and support from auDA along with promotional benefits. The awards offer public exposure, media coverage, networking opportunities, optimisation of future grant applications or investor engagement proposals, and recognition staff and volunteers.

The four judges for the category include auDA board director, Graham McDonald, Our Community group managing director Denis Moriarty, executive director of 2020 Trust, Vanisa Dhiru, and Alan Dee from Fishburners.

Chris Disspain, CEO of auDA, said “auDA is excited to relaunch the new-look ANZIAs and offer prize money to all winners, including tech startups, who we are pleased to support with the new category. We also welcome a brand new, talented and knowledgeable multi-sector judging panel.”

“Since its inception eight years ago, we have regularly reviewed the ANZIA program to assure it reflects the fast moving tech sector we work within. 2016 will see some of the biggest changes to date and we hope the greatest number of high calibre applicants, from all our stakeholders groups.”

ANZIA is an annual event collaborated between auDA and InternetNZ to celebrate the achievements of organisations, businesses and individuals who excel in delivering accessible, innovative, informative and secure resources to a diverse community on the internet.

The six award categories include: Security Award supported by AusRegistry, Diversity and Digital Skills, Information, Innovative, The Leonie Dunbar Memorial Award for Community Websites and The Tech Startup Award supported by Fishburners.

Winners will be offered the chance to appear at the auIGF annual conference, run workshops or speak on their area of expertise. To support each organisation’s continuing efforts and track their success, auAD runs a blog series throughout the year of crowning.

Last year winner of the Innovation category StartSomeGood has since received huge internal and external recognition for their ANZIA prize. Cofounder of the startup Tom Dawkins said that recognition by ANZIA for the award was a great honour.“We were founded specifically to promote more innovation in the social sector so to win an Innovation Award is very validating and inspiring.”